H. Res. 728 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

September 12, 2016. 

Whereas since the Paris Peace Accords in 1991, Cambodia 

has undergone a gradual, partial, and unsteady transition 

to democracy, including elections and multiparty government; 

Whereas Prime Minister Hun Sen has been in power in Cambodia uninterrupted since 1985 and is the longest-serving 

leader in Southeast Asia; 

Whereas Freedom House rated Cambodia as ‘‘Not Free’’ in 

its ‘‘Freedom in the World 2015’’ report, noting that 

‘‘political opposition is restricted’’, ‘‘harassment or 

threats against opposition supporters are not uncommon’’, ‘‘freedom of speech is not fully protected’’, and 

‘‘the government’s tolerance for freedoms of association 

and assembly has declined in recent years’’; 

Whereas Cambodia held a general election on July 28, 2013, 

though widespread reports of irregularities largely related 

to the voter lists bring into question the integrity of the 

election; 

Whereas a coalition of election monitors, including the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Transparency International Cambodia, and other domestic and international 

organizations, in a joint report on the 2013 election 
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found ‘‘significant challenges that undermined the credibility of the process’’; 

Whereas Transparency International Cambodia, a nonprofit, 

nonpartisan organization, conducted a survey during the 

2013 election that found at 60 percent of polling stations, citizens with proper identification were not allowed 

to vote; 

Whereas the Cambodian National Election Committee (NEC) 

was accused of lack of independence and pro-government 

bias during its oversight of the 2013 election; 

Whereas the composition of the NEC was changed after the 

2013 election to include equal membership from both political parties, and the NEC’s continued independence is 

essential to free and fair elections; 

Whereas the United States Congress has taken steps to protect democracy and human rights in Cambodia, making 

certain 2014 foreign aid funds intended to Cambodia 

conditioned upon the Government of Cambodia conducting an independent and credible investigation into 

the irregularities associated with the July 28, 2013, parliamentary elections and reforming the NEC or when all 

parties have agreed to join the National Assembly to conduct business; 

Whereas United States aid to Cambodia has funded work in 

areas including development assistance, civil society, global health, and the Khmer Rouge Tribunal, largely via 

nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); 

Whereas both NDI and the International Republican Institute (IRI) operate in Cambodia, engaging local partners 

and building capacity for civil society, democracy, and 

good governance; 
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Whereas the Government of Cambodia has acted to restrict 

the right to freely assemble and protest, including the following instances; 

Whereas, on January 3, 2014, Cambodian security forces violently cracked down on protests of garment workers, killing 4 people in Phnom Penh; 

Whereas, on March 31, 2014, Cambodian police beat 

protestors with batons and clubs during a protest calling 

for a license for the independent Beehive Radio to establish a television channel; 

Whereas in August 2015, the Government of Cambodia 

passed the ‘‘Law on Associations and Non-Governmental 

Organizations’’ which threatens to restrict the development of civil society by requiring registration and government approval of both domestic and international NGOs; 

Whereas, on October 26, 2015, 2 opposition lawmakers, including dual United States citizen Nhay Chamreoun, 

were violently attacked by pro-government protestors in 

front of the National Assembly; 

Whereas, on November 16, 2015, the standing committee of 

the National Assembly expelled leader of the parliamentary opposition and President of the Cambodian National 

Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy and revoked his parliamentary immunity; 

Whereas Mr. Rainsy is the subject of a Government of Cambodia investigation of 7-year-old defamation charges 

against him which is widely believed to be politically motivated; 

Whereas the United States Embassy in Cambodia has publicly called on the Government of Cambodia to revoke the 

arrest warrant issued against Mr. Rainsy, allow all oppo-
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sition lawmakers to ‘‘return to Cambodia without fear of 

arrest and persecution’’, and ‘‘to take immediate steps to 

guarantee a political space free from threats or intimidation in Cambodia’’; 

Whereas political advocate and anti-corruption activist Kem 

Ley was shot and killed in Phnom Penh on July 10, 

2016; 

Whereas the Government of Cambodia continues efforts to 

prosecute CNRP leaders on politically-motivated charges, 

bringing Mr. Sokha’s case to trial in Phnom Penh; and 

Whereas national elections in 2018 will be closely watched to 

ensure openness and fairness, and to monitor whether all 

political parties and civil society are allowed to freely participate: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) reaffirms the commitment of the United States 

to promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of 

law in Cambodia; 

(2) condemns all forms of political violence in Cambodia and urges the cessation of ongoing human rights 

violations; 

(3) calls on the Government of Cambodia to respect 

freedom of the press and the rights of its citizens to 

freely assemble, protest, and speak out against the government; 

(4) supports electoral reform efforts in Cambodia 

and free and fair elections in 2018 monitored by international observers; and 
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(5) urges Prime Minister Hun Sen and the Cambodian People’s Party to— 

(A) end all harassment and intimidation of 

Cambodia’s opposition; 

(B) drop all politically motivated charges 

against opposition lawmakers; 

(C) allow them to return to Cambodia and 

freely participate in the political process; and 

(D) foster an environment where democracy 

can thrive and flourish. 

Attest: 

Clerk.